Looking For A New Sport? Try Bowfishing!

Are you tired of the same old sports?  Maybe hunting or fishing just aren’t providing the same thrill as before.  Are you looking for a new challenge?  If so, you might want to consider bowfishing.

What is Bowfishing?

A sort of cross between bowhunting and spearfishing, bowfishing is a type of fishing that uses specially designed archery equipment.  This equipment allows you to hook a fish and reel it in.  Bowfishing can be done from a boat, from the shore or you may even choose to wade into the water to get yourself closer to your targets.

Equipment

There is very little equipment needed for bowfishing.  The bow itself is often fairly simple, and don’t have sights on them.  To aim, you just look down the shaft of your arrow.  There are a few different styles, including long bows, recurve bow, compound bows and even crossbows.  Bows also have a reel attached.

Arrows are barbed, which enables them to hook the fish and bring it in.  They are heavier than traditional archery bows, made out of fiberglass, aluminum or carbon fiber.  Arrows also lack feathers, which could otherwise cause them to veer off course once under water.

The line used for bowfishing connects the arrow to the reel.  It is made from nylon, Dacron or Spectra and hooks onto the side of the arrow in a fashion that doesn’t interfere with the bow.

Bowfishing is Affordable

Some sports can be quite expensive.  Bowfishing, however, is very affordable.  Basic equipment usually runs only around $300.  Most states require a fishing license, which can cost a small additional fee.  If you want to bowfish from a boat, then your cost tends to climb more drastically.

Bowfishing Has Benefits

There are some arguments that bowfishing is a wasteful sport.  It is not catch and release like regular fishing, meaning that fish that are caught are killed.  This can actually be beneficial in some bodies of water, where invasive species, such as carp, have grown too large in numbers and are doing damage to the ecosystem.

Take Care

As with any sport, you should practice proper safety measures.  One of the biggest things you should remember for bowfishing is that you should never tie the line to the arrow.  Tying the line could lead to “snap back” which occurs when the line gets caught in the bowstring, forcing the arrow back toward you.  This could lead to some severe injuries.  Always make sure the line is attached correctly.

Bowfishing is not just for catching fish.  For the brave of heart, you can take on large game, such as sharks or alligators.  If you are looking for a new sport, why not give bowfishing a go?